Latest news with #InsidetheIslanders
New York Post
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Ex- Islanders star Cal Clutterbuck taking on New York State Open Championship in retirement
Former Islanders tough guy Cal Clutterbuck is trying to turn his obsession with golf into a title at the New York State Open Championship, taking place this week at Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, New York. Clutterbuck, who retired from the NHL in April, finished Day 1 of the tournament on Monday with a score of 82, 12-over par, setting up a second day in which he'll need to improve by roughly 10 strokes if he hopes to make the cut to advance to Wednesday's round. The New York State Open Championship is a 54-hole stroke-play tournament that is open to both professional golfers and amateurs who belong to clubs in the state and have a handicap that does not exceed 10.0. 3 Cal Clutterbuck is competing in the New York State Open Championship this week. AP Clutterbuck shot a 43 on the front nine and started the day with a double bogey on the first hole and double bogey on six, before bogeying on seven and eight, but he shot for par on hole nine. The NHL's all-time hits leader, with 4,029, fared better on the back nine, nearly eagling on hole 15, but ended up with a bogey. 'I missed a couple of birdies, but I hit one,' Clutterbuck told after his first round. 'I was putting it well. It's tough, the level of focus you need for almost five hours,' he added. 'When things are going well, you want to just keep riding it. When something happens, you really have to work on just putting it behind you and moving on.' Clutterbuck will tee off for the second round at 12:48 on Tuesday and will be paired with Jimmy Hazen and Chris Fischer. 3 Cal Clutterbuck (15) collides with Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Michael Blunden (46) during the first period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference semifinals, May 6, 2016, in New York. AP The 37-year-old is the second New York sports pro to compete in the tournament in the last three years. Mets infielder Jeff McNeil had competed in the New York State Open Championship in 2023 during the MLB All-Star break. Clutterbuck spent parts of 17 seasons in the NHL, spending his first six with the Wild before he was traded to the Islanders during the 2013 NHL Draft, along with a third-round pick, for Nino Niederreiter. On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Clutterbuck would go on to play 718 regular-season games for the Islanders and became a mainstay on the Isles' 'Identity Line' alongside Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas – only one of whom remains an active NHL player. He was a part of seven playoff teams while with the Islanders – including in 2016 when the team advanced beyond the first round for the first time since 1993. The Islanders also made it one round shy of the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 and 2021 while was a member of the organization. 3 (L-R) Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey at the U.S. Open in 2024. Getty Images for Heineken Clutterbuck has long held a love for the game of golf and made the announcement that he was retiring from hockey days after attending the Masters. 'I couldn't help but think how I would have never been able to do that if I were still playing hockey,' Clutterbuck said in his retirement announcement. 'Which brings me to this announcement post. Obviously I haven't played hockey in the NHL in a year and I think it's safe to say that everyone assumed, but I'm going to make it official today. 'I am retiring from the NHL, and… um… I really have no idea how to do this. So, that's it. I'm done. See ya.' Clutterbuck spent last season as an analyst for MSG Networks on Islanders broadcasts and will be there in 2025-26 in a full-time role.
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Islanders in no rush to sign Max Tsyplakov as the final piece of offseason business
It's been three weeks since July 1, when Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche said he was 'very close' to locking up all of his restricted free agents, with no issues expected. Alexander Romanov already had signed a five-year contract extension by that point, and Darche proved to be correct about Emil Heineman, Simon Holmstrom and Marc Gatcomb, all of whom signed shortly thereafter. Advertisement Max Tsyplakov, though, still stands as seemingly the lone unfinished piece of business between Darche and a well-deserved vacation, with the Russian wing having filed for arbitration two weeks ago and no settlement having been reached since. While the NHLPA has not announced hearing dates for any of the 11 players in the league who filed for arbitration, the window for those hearings opened Sunday and runs through Aug. 4, so a resolution — in the form of arbitration or otherwise — could come down at any point. Generally speaking, it's quite rare for these situations to get as far as an arbitration hearing, which both sides almost always want to avoid, as it can result in bruised feelings. Of 14 players who filed for arbitration last summer, just one, Nashville defenseman Spencer Stastney, had a hearing. If it were to get that far, it's worth noting the arbitrator could only award Tsyplakov a one-year deal, as at 26 years old, he's one year away from being an unrestricted free agent. Advertisement 3 Max Tsyplakov looks to make a play as Kevin Bahl defends during the Islanders' 4-3 overtime loss to the Flames on March 22, 2025. Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images The Islanders also could walk away if Tsyplakov is awarded $4.85 million or more, which would result in his becoming an unrestricted free agent, though that would be an extraordinary settlement for a player who had 35 points as an NHL rookie last season. The reasons for delay are likely twofold. First, deadlines tend to spur action in the NHL, and the deadline here, which is to say the hearing date, has not yet come. Advertisement Second, Tsyplakov became a father Saturday, and it's safe to presume that is taking priority over pending negotiations. 3 Max Tsyplakov filed for arbitration. NHLI via Getty Images The Islanders currently have about $4 million in cap space left, not including Matthew Schaefer's as-yet-unsigned entry-level deal, so this is not about a cap crunch. Tsyplakov had an up-and-down rookie season, showing himself to be an effective contributor while struggling to score at the same level he had in the KHL and bouncing between the second and third lines for much of the second half. Advertisement On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Evolving Hockey projects his next deal to come in at two years with a $2.478 million AAV, which appears to be a solid ballpark estimate. While Tsyplakov's agent in Russia said in February that he was working toward a figure of $3 million annually, Tsyplakov quickly shot that down. 3 Max Pacioretty #67 of the Toronto Maple Leafs collides with Maxim Tsyplakov #7 of the New York Islanders during the second period at UBS Arena on January 02, 2025 in Elmont, New York. NHLI via Getty Images By way of comparison, the Islanders also just gave Holmstrom — who scored double the goals Tsyplakov did last season and is two years younger, also with arbitration rights — $3.6 million annually over the course of a two-year deal. There is no reason to assume this would reach the point of Tsyplakov being moved, but Darche already has shown a willingness to set hard lines in negotiations. The general manager repeatedly said he wanted to re-sign Noah Dobson, but when the defenseman's camp did not come down from a number beyond what Darche was comfortable with, the Islanders pivoted and dealt him to Montreal on the eve of the draft.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Cole Eiserman's elite asset is almost unexplainable — his old coaches dish on what sets him apart
Cole Eiserman's former coaches can agree the Islanders draftee has one of the best shots they've ever seen. But ask different coaches what exactly makes Eiserman's shot so tough to stop, and the theories will vary. There is no consensus. Advertisement Tim Kyrkostas, one of Eiserman's youth coaches in the Boston area, pointed to an 'understanding of the concept of time and space.' Kyrkostas — who has also coached NHLers Shayne Gostisbehere, Jakob Chychrun and Brandon Duhaime at the youth level — compared Eiserman's hockey sense to Matthew Tkachuk. 'Matthew knows how to see and find the soft areas and get open down near the net,' Kyrkostas said. 'I think Cole's demonstrated that.' Advertisement Others believe it's Eiserman's release that separates him from his peers. Mike Busconi, who coached Eiserman in eighth grade, said he thinks it all comes down to core strength, which enables Eiserman to get more torque behind his shot. 'He's 6-foot-1, 190 pounds,' Busconi said. 'But I bet if you compare him with other 6-1, 190-pound kids, he's in the top percentile in physical strength.' Cole Eiserman runs a drill during the Islanders' developmental camp on June 30, 2025. Heather Khalifa for New York Post Advertisement Eiserman, selected with the 20th pick in the 2024 draft, is coming off a 25-goal freshman season at Boston University, which lost to Western Michigan in the national championship game in April. U.S. National Team Development Program head coach Nick Fohr and Peter Morris, Eiserman's old peewee coach, agreed on their assessment: it's all in the hands. 'For me, it's a release thing,' Fohr said. 'It just happens quicker than what people are used to. The puck's already off his stick in a lot of cases when it wouldn't be off somebody else's, and it's to the goalie before he realizes it's there.' Cole Eiserman, who was with Boston University, scores a goal against Penn State during a game last season. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images Advertisement Morris agreed, adding that Eiserman has learned how to optimize his stick's kick point, the flex or bend that generates power during a shot. 'It's not a slow buildup,' Morris said. 'His bottom hand really leans into it. It's short, it's quick, it's explosive.' On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Eiserman, himself, doesn't have an explanation. He sees his shot as a 'God-given gift' that he's spent years perfecting. And he plans to keep working at it. 'I care about it so much. I like to call it my superpower,' Eiserman said. 'I realized that at a pretty young age, and then decided just to work on it, because I've always been gifted with it.'
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Islanders superfan completes quest of visiting all NHL arenas
He's been everywhere, man. A diehard Islanders fan made it his mission to visit all 33 NHL venues across the U.S. and Canada, not only to fulfill a personal quest, but also to become a de facto tour guide for other travelers. Will Chiarucci, an Isles season ticket holder who sits with the 'Blue and Orange Army' superfans, began his continental quest about a decade ago after leaving a relationship with a woman who had little interest in attending any sporting event. 'I just basically said, 'I'm not wasting my life anymore just by staying at home,' ' Chiarucci, of Bellmore, told The Post. With the encouragement of fellow Blue and Orange Army commander Tom LoFaso, Chiarucci embarked on his travels over the past seven years, ranking all of the arenas as he went. Coming in dead last is the Ottawa Senators' home, Canadian Tire Centre, which Chiarucci ripped for being in the middle of nowhere, a lack of easy walkability inside the venue and for simply feeling like a place trapped in the 1990s. Other bottom feeders he includes for similar reasons are Buffalo's KeyBank Center, Carolina's Lenovo Center, Vancouver's Rogers Arena, Washington's Capital One Arena and Toronto's Scotiabank Arena. Chiarucci calls the latter, the Maple Leafs' home ice, 'the MSG of Canada.' Islanders superfan Will Chiarucci has been to all 33 NHL arenas. Will Chiarucci As for the real Madison Square Garden, he places it in the middle of the pack, and criticized its prices and packed-like-sardines seating. The Islanders' state-of-the-art UBS Arena ranks fourth on the list — behind only Edmonton's Rogers Place, Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena and Detroit's Little Caesars Arena. Those stadiums, all newly built, exude a modern vibe and fan friendliness, which Chiarucci loves. Islanders superfan Will Chiarucci attends a Jets game in Winnipeg. Will Chiarucci He also urges hockey fanatics to see the Calgary Flames in action at The Saddledome and the Montreal Canadiens at the raucous Bell Centre, and added that the Columbus Blue Jackets' home, Nationwide Arena, is a hidden gem. The Long Island Ducks are ready for a three-game home series against the Lancaster Stormers on Friday through Sunday. On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters A fireworks extravaganza follows Saturday's 7 p.m. game. The Hamptons Youth Triathlon will take place Saturday morning at Sag Harbor's Foster Memorial Beach at 7:30.
New York Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Max Tsyplakov files for arbitration with contract talks likely looming
The Islanders had two more contracts on their to-do list before Saturday's 5 p.m. deadline for player-elected arbitration. At least one of them might get complicated after Max Tsyplakov was one of 11 players to file for arbitration, per an NHLPA announcement. Advertisement Filing for arbitration does not preclude Tsyplakov's camp and the Islanders from working on a contract between now and a potential hearing, which would be held between July 20 and August 4. If anything, it may add pressure on both sides to get something done and avoid a potentially ugly hearing. Though a player filing for arbitration opens up a second buyout window for the Islanders, they are not expected to use it. Pierre Engvall, who would be the main buyout candidate on the roster, is not eligible to be bought out in the second window, as it only applies to contracts with a cap hit greater than $4 million. Advertisement Max Tsyplakov filed for arbitration. NHLI via Getty Images As of 5 p.m. things were quiet regarding Marc Gatcomb, the other arbitration-eligible restricted free agent yet to sign. Gatcomb's name was not on the PA's list of players to file for arbitration and The Post was told earlier in the day that the two sides were working to find a deal ahead of the deadline. Tsyplakov, who signed as a free agent from Russia a year ago, finished his first NHL season with 10 goals and 25 assists, flashing talent while still clearly in the midst of adjusting to a new league and new culture. Advertisement Though he went through a long scoreless stretch that spanned late December through mid-March and was healthy-scratched by Patrick Roy at one point, Tsyplakov carved out a middle-six role and played a heavy style of hockey that fit the Islanders well. 'Expecting for more from myself,' Tsyplakov said at breakup day. 'Score goals, more points and be a good player on ice. '… Here, I know I can score more and be better next season about this.' Advertisement Max Tsyplakov finished his first NHL season with 10 goals and 25 assists. NHLI via Getty Images If his contract is sorted out, he'll have the chance to do so next year, albeit on a team that figures to present stiffer competition at wing after the Islanders added Jonathan Drouin, Emil Heineman and Tsyplakov's compatriot Max Shabanov. For Gatcomb, that competition could spell trouble. On the ice from Long Island Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters The 25-year-old undrafted wing broke into the NHL last season, playing 39 games with the Islanders as they dealt with injury issues. Gatcomb played a physical game, averaging 3.92 hits per game, and showed a flair for scoring, with eight goals. Given their additions at wing and assuming that everyone comes into camp healthy, though, it's hard to see Gatcomb making the roster without a standout camp.
